first of all, let me apologize, my shift key is acting up, so no caps.

what are the protocols for troop to and from war zones? i've read that they shut of all nav/interior lights when flying over hostile territory, and they shut all the windows. what are the f/a's like on the flight? are they military or civil flight attendants. who gets to sit in first and business? what's carried in the cargo hold? I'm assuming that many of the flights to Iraq go non-stop from the US-EU-Iraq.

If any of you have been on one of these flights, please do tell. What's the feeling on the aircraft as you approach the 'hot zone' if you will.

secondly, ive read somewhere where that should their be a large scale attack on the US, the government reserves the right to take control of all civil aircraft. In fact, ive seen a website that shows tail numbers/types of aircraft that will be utilized in the event of a major war. (can anyone find it?). Pretty scary stuff to see, and to think about. Imagine every 777/744/A330 hauling around troops, refugees, supplies, etc.

And we thought the silence in the skies after 9/11 was weird, imagine a sky full of civil airliners being used for war!

In my experiences flying into Saudi Arabia during Operation Southern Watch, we were on an Omni DC-10 leased from Condor. While descending into Prince Sultan AB, the turned off all nav flights and had everyone close windowshades. All inside lights were turned off and the only thing showing were the exit lights. Once on the ground into Saudi, shades could be opened, but not until we were parked.

All the FA's were Omni folks. As far as FC, of course, that was reserved for officers because they couldn't handle a coach seat with the rest of us.

On departure from PSAB, we had an ATA L1011. We had to wait until dusk to takeoff, but since there was still some light, there wasn't much point to turn off the interior lights anyway. Once they got the green light from the UH-60 Pavehawk that was flying ahead of us to make sure there wouldn't be any trouble, we took off and made one of the steepest climbs I've ever made.....well, in an L-10 anyway. Pretty fun actually. After fuel stops in Italy, Ireland, and Bangor, we arrived back home.

I was stationed in Rhein Main for the last few years and often times the military used UAL744's and AA777's as well as the Omni DC-10, ATA L-1011 and World MD-11's. Since i was such a nut about airliners I used to make a habit of visiting the flight decks if I had time. I vividly remember attached to the yoke of one of the UAL747's was a small package that said the words "What to do in case of a surface to air missile attack." Pretty creepy.

i thought there were a number of TZ 752's at MUC..........but rather for delivery to a European airliner............I know we have stopped in FRA...as well as UA.......but now that FRA is no longer.....where is DL/AA/TZ doing their stops.

okay, I'm waiting for the rich to spread the wealth around to me. Please mail your checks to my house.

Quoting AirAmericaC46 (Reply 3):2. What other airline, type of aircraft and flight routings have you flown in the military? Thanks for the info.

Lets see, military only? C-26B, UH-60, and C-130 come to mind right offhand. As far as civil airlines for military travel, it has been Omni, ATA, Continental, and Delta. Aircraft types would be 737, 767, DC-10, L-1011, 757, and 727.

Hope that answered your question. If I come up with any more later that I forgot, I will PM you with them.

From the military charters I have worked here is what little I know. The planes we've had come into COS are American 767 and 777. They are picking up troops from Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and guys from all branches going back after leave. The planes are free loaded with ruck sacks, duffels, weapons, MRE's, medical equiptment, and of course the captains must bring their big screens. I gotta say, snipers don't have it easy their rifles are 75lbs a piece! The flight attendants are regular airline flight attendants. One flight I remember, as the GI's got on the plane the flight attendants handed each soldier a McDonald's bag with a hamburger and fries, of course we ramp rats didn't get any, bastards! The planes go from COS-JFK or LGA-FRA and then the troops were to board a C130 or C5 to Iraq or Afghanistan.

I did an OSW rotation with the army in 1996/1997. Back then there really wasn't any of the steep approach/blacked out lights stuff others have mentioned. No First class either.

The flight over was on an ATA L-1011 (N186AT) that stopped in Gander and Sigonella.

The Flight Back was on a Miami Air 727 (no kidding) that stopped in Chania (Souda Bay) Greece, Frankfurt/Main (Thanks for the Cookies, USO!) , Keflavik, Iceland, than one more stop stateside before coming home. Packed flight (crew from each stop got on, we had rucks, rifles, kevlars, Gear Vests, the whole deal, because we had to look "warrior like" for the CG when we got off the plane ) no seat pitch. We stopped at the Civilian side of the Chania airport, it was kind of funny to see 150 people in DCUs swamping the airport, to the horror of the other passengers who must have thought an invasion was underway...

I swore off flying for a few months after that experience, it took 30 hours to get home.